Abstract
The concept of Free / Open Source Software, already well understood by LCA attendees, is complemented by a rapidly growing community focused around Open Hardware and "maker culture". One of the drivers of the popularity of the Open Hardware community is easy access to cheap devices such as Arduino, which is a microcontroller development board originally intended for classroom use but now a popular building block in all sorts of weird and wonderful hobbyist and professional projects.
Interest in Open Hardware is high among FOSS enthusiasts but there is also a barrier to entry with the perceived difficulty and dangers of dealing with hot soldering irons, unknown components and unfamiliar naming schemes. The Open Hardware Miniconf will ease software developers into dealing with hardware. Topics will cover both software and hardware issues, starting with simpler sessions suitable for Open Hardware beginners and progressing through to more advanced topics.
The day will run in two distinct halves. The first part of the day will be a hands-on assembly session where participants will have the chance to solder together a special hardware project developed for the miniconf. Instructors will be on hand to assist with soldering and the other mysteries of hardware assembly. The second part of the day will be presentations about Open Hardware topics, including information on software to run on the hardware project built earlier in the day.
Planning for the hardware assembly project for LCA2017 is still underway. More details of the project such as costs and how to reserve your spot will be posted on the Open Hardware Miniconf website at www.openhardwareconf.org before the event.
Presented by
Andy Gelme
Andy started hacking as a teenager when microprocessors were first available and you had to build your own computer.
His software career has included the spectrum of computing ... from Cray supercomputers to embedded controllers with IPv6 mesh networks.
Since 2000, Andy has been working in the areas of building automation and the Internet of Things, including technical lead for ekoLiving, resulting in the MeemPlex open-source project.
Establishing the Melbourne HackerSpace in 2009, Andy works at being part of a growing and passionate technical community that accomplishes game-changing hacks, welcoming all who are interested, regardless of experience.
Co-founded LIFX in 2012, which began as a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign and is now a consumer electronics manufacturer of Internet connected LED lightbulbs.
Since the start of 2016 at a new start-up, Andy has been developing drones with real-time telemetry and video processing via machine learning (neural networks).
Andy is also a committer to the Eclipse Paho team (IoT and MQTT).
Jonathan Oxer
Jon has been hacking on both hardware and software since he was a little tacker. Most recently he's been focusing more on the Open Hardware side, co-founding Freetronics as a result of organising the first Arduino Miniconf at LCA2010 and designing the Arduino-based payloads that were sent into orbit in 2013 on board satellites ArduSat-X and ArduSat-1. His books include "Ubuntu Hacks" and "Practical Arduino", and he produces the "SuperHouseTV" DIY home automation channel on YouTube.